Overview
- Spain’s Los Gallos withdrew after major damage in a practice crash, leaving 12 boats to race in Fremantle.
- Sweden’s Artemis has wing trimmer Chris Draper back on board after hospital stitches for facial injuries sustained in training.
- Australia is assessing wing trimmer Iain Jensen’s knee after scans, with veteran Glenn Ashby brought in as cover for the opener.
- Organizers expect heavy local winds for the sold-out event, with about 15,000 on-site and chase-boat plans curtailed for safety.
- The 13-stop season opens today with F50s capable of near-100 kph, and leaders forecast newcomers Artemis to contend for podiums.